Castleton Home > The Peak District and Derbyshire > Buxton & Bakewell and Area > Castleton Castleton in Derbyshire gets its name from the Norman castle that overlooks it. The Keep of Peveril Castle, originally built in 1080, has survived the centuries and can be visited today. It is now run by English Heritage and has a visitor centre with further information about the origins of the castle. Castleton is an attractive village set in the heart of the Peak district. It is ideally placed for doing any of the outdoor pursuits for which the area is famed. For those who like an active holiday, there is plenty of choice - from the more extreme sports of caving, rock climbing and hang gliding to cycling and walking. Whatever your ability level, you will find something suitable. For those who prefer a more gentle holiday, the village has some lovely cafes, restaurants and shops to visit. The village also has a unique annual event, Garland Day, which takes place every year on the 29th May. The main event of the day is a local couple dressed in period clothes, travelling through the village on horseback, the man wearing a large garland of flowers.

All visitors to the village also wear an oak leaf. One local attraction that should not be missed is a visit to one of the local show caves such as Treak Cliff with its caverns full of magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, famous for its Blue John Stone. With it magnificent surrounding scenery and fascinating local history, Castleton is an ideal base from which to explore the Peaks. Cottage distance (in Miles) Hathersage is close by this apartment, in an elevated position with views over the Hope Valley. Sleeps Castleton Village Guide 2017 Castleton Village Guide 2017 Visitor Information and Accommodation in Castleton , Derbyshire Castleton Oak Apple Day is on Monday the 29th May 2017 Castleton is an outstandingly pretty village situated at the head of the lovely Vale of Hope, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District National Park. Castleton is surrounded on 3 sides by steep hills and the mighty bulk of Mam Tor looms high, 2 miles to the north west of the village. On a hill, overlooking Castleton, is the ancient Peveril Castle. Castleton has 4 underground show caves, all worth a visit, for their own interesting features.

These are Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Peak Cavern. Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff contain the treasured, pretty blue and yellow fluorspar called Blue John. It was first mined at Treak Cliff and by 1770, 16 mines were extracting the stone and selling it to several firms in Derbyshire who turned it into ornaments, vases, clocks and jewellry. Blue John is only found in this area of Britain, andsmall pieces of the mineral are still plentiful, large pieces are now rare. Peak Cavern is the source of the village river, Peakshole Water and as such it is the only Cavern that has to be closed during the winter due to flooding. In the mouth of the cave, the largest in Britain, rope makers use to live and work. Their cottages have been demolished but 'rope walks' are still to be found. The show cave is only part of a much larger cave system which attracts cavers from all over the world. Speedwell Cavern is special because the main workings and its 'bottomless pit' can only be reached by boat along an underground canal.

Oak Apple Day, the 29th May, has been celebrated as Castleton Garland Day for many a year. It is a time of considerable pageantry with people dressing in Stuart fashions and choosing a King and a Queen for the day. They lead a procession through the village, the King covered in a great cone of flowers. Girls dance and everyone welcomes in the summer. Aside from the castle, some of the older buildings in the village are the Castle Hotel, dating back to the 17th century, and Castleton Hall, a fine 17th house, now a Youth Hostel. The Celts were the first peple to settle in the Castleton area. On Mamtor, also known as the shivering mountain, are the remains of a Celtic hill fort on summit, an enclosure of 16 acres at an altitude of 1700ft. The Celts were displaced by the Romans who started mining the rich lead viens, bringing prosperity to the area.

Shortly after 1066, William the Conquerer started building castles all over the country and the one at Castleton was given to his son,William Peveril in 1086, and so became Peveril Castle. The keep was added later, in 1176. It never saw battle and was occupied as a dwelling until 1480. The village grew up under the protection of the castle. St Edmunds Church may originally have been a garrison church to the castle. It has a broad Norman Chancel Arch, Perp west tower, ashlar faced with diagonal buttresses, battlements and eight pinnacles. It was heavily restored in 1837 when the aisle was removed. It contains some excellently preserved Box pews from the 17th century with dates on. Castleton has a lot to offer the large numbers of visitors it attracts in terms of interest and history and has always attracted many visitors. There is a large carpark and plenty of onroad parking during busy times. Castleton is famous for its display of Christmas lights and decorations during the festive season. The many shops offering everything from outdoor clothing to gifts stay open late.

Castleton is popular with walkers with many public footpaths leading from the village. A short strenuous walk up onto the Great Ridge provides magnificent views of both Edale Vale and the Hope Valley. For places to eat and drink in Castleton and the Hope Valley see Castleton Food and Drink Castleton Visitor Centre 29th May (Garland Day) 10am-6pm 1 June � 22 July: 10am-5pm daily 23 July � 4 September: 10am-5:30pm daily 5 September � 31 October: 10am-5pm daily November: 10:30am-5pm daily Castleton visitor centre is situated at the very heart of the village. The centre houses a fascinating museum as well as a full range of tourist information services. Castleton information centre services include accommodation bookings, local theatre bookings, brochures, up to date information on events, attractions and the Peak District National Park. Contains changing displays in the exhibition room, which shows off the talents of local artists, photographers and crafts people.

Castleton main attractions information at a glance Peveril Castle Website: The impressive remains of one of England's first Norman Castles with spectacular views across the Peak District. Historically themed gift shop at admission point. Peak Cavern Website: A spectacular cavern containing historic ropeworks inside Britain's largest cave entrance. Come and discover why it is called "The Devil's Arse!". Speedwell Cavern Website: After descending 105 steps the visitor takes an underground boat ride through this fantastic 18th century lead mine visiting the world-renowned bottomless pit. Treak Cliff Cavern Website: An underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, minerals and fossils. Home of Blue John Stone. Special events, polish your own Blue John and Carols by Candlelight. Tourist Information for Castleton How to get to Castleton By bus: The 272 bus is an hourly service to and from Sheffield. Bus times can be found in the Peak District Bus Timetable, published in March and October. It is available from any Tourist Information Centre in the area. By railway: The nearest station to Castleton is Hope (Derbyshire) Station which is 2� miles to the east of Castleton.

For information on train times and fares on all these routes, you can call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950, or visit By road: The best exit points from the motorways are: Northbound on M1 - exit 29 to A671 Southbound on M1 - exit 36 to A61 and then on to the A57 Northbound on M6 - exit 14 to A34 and then on to the A520 Southbound on M6/M56/M60 - exit 27 on to the M60 and then on to the A6 From the east (M1/Sheffield/Chesterfield) take the A6187 into Castleton From the west (M6/Chapel-en-le-Frith/Buxton) take unclassified road from Chapel-en-le-Frith towards Castleton Car Parks in Castleton Castleton pay and display car park next to the Visitor Centre. Number of spaces: 133 (8 disabled) . 2 spaces are reserved for disabled people close to the toilets.

Mam Nick Car Park A steeply sloping site close to Mam Tor on the A625 Rushup Edge road. Pay and display, free to blue badge holders. No toilets Blue John Cavern - This cul-de-sac at the top of the closed Mam Tor road provides parking for visitors to the Blue John Cavern and others wishing to see the remains of the road which is steadily being lost in a landslip. A parking bay has been constructed by Derbyshire County Council for disabled people to sit and enjoy the splendid view over the Hope Valley, Win Hill and the Mam Tor ridge. Plenty of on road parking Doctors in Castleton Evelyn Medical Centre Marsh Avenue, Hope Valley. Tel 01433 621557 Holiday Accommodation in Castleton Cliffe Holiday Cottage - Cliffe Cottage nestling at the mouth of The Peak Cavern in an absolutely spectacular and unspoilt location, is a three bedroomed Peak District cottage appointed to a high standard, ideal for a family holiday or couples wanting a romantic break. The nearest shop is 300 metres away as are a number of excellent Pubs and Restaurants.

The cottage sleeps 6, split as two double rooms and one twin room all of which are on the first floor. Read more at Cliffe Holiday Cottage For more accommodation see Photographs from Castleton at Derbyshire and Peak District Photographs Peveril Castle Visit Derbyshire - Castleton Information Activities in & around Castleton... Castleton lies at the head of the Vale of Hope, right in the heart of the Peak District National Park. On three sides there are steep hills and the domineering Mam Tor overlooks the village. There are also showcaves and Peveril Castle, an old Norman ruin. Castleton is a highly popular tourist attraction thanks to its wonderful scenery and fantastic location. The village of Castleton centres on a main square that holds the Church? The first settlers in the surrounding area were the Celts, who built a hill fort atop Mam Tor. Peveril castle originates from 1086, a gift to William Peveril form his father William the Conqueror, and was constructed first out of wood and then rebuilt later in stone circa 1175.

Castleton has four underground show caves, the main two being Cave Dale and Peak Cavern, alongside Speedwell Cavern and Treak Cliff being the most impressive. Peak Cavern lies beneath Peveril Castle and was used to make rope in the damp atmosphere that it naturally provided. Treak Cliff and Blue John both contain veins of the rare mineral Blue John, that is only found in this area of Britain, and was discovered by miners who explored the caves originally looking for lead. There is less on offer within the village itself due to its size. Accommodation is on offer as are some shops selling Blue John and related souvenirs and there are a total of six pubs in the village. Castleton, Derbyshire. Peveril Castle dominates this Peak District village Castleton, Derbyshire. Peveril Castle dominates this Peak District village Castleton, Derbyshire was founded by William Peveril, the first steward of the Royal Forest of the Peak. Peveril castle looms over it, and nearby sights include Peak Cavern, Cave Dale and Mam Tor. Local Attractions Castleton, with Mam Tor dominating the skyline behind Castleton is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Peak District.

Maybe this is because it has everything the visitor might want - picturesque scenery, a ruined Norman castle, showcaves, interesting geology, good walks, places to eat and a pretty village. However, this also means that you must be prepared to share the village with the crowds, even on winter weekends. Peveril castle from Cavedale The village is centred around a square in which the church lies - this is just off the main road and directly beneath Peveril Castle on the hill behind. The castle was built in 1080 as a wooden building and rebuilt in stone around 1175. The church was begun about the same time and has a fine Norman arch across the Nave, which was constructed from 1190 to 1250. The tower was added in 1450-1500 and more additions were made in the 19th century. Other signs of the Norman era still remain - across the main road by the Bull's Head Inn you can see a section of the Town Ditch, a defensive earthwork built around the village. This was once a feature of many of the villages of the region.

The two main features of interest, apart from the castle, are Cave Dale and Peak Cavern. Both are reached from the top of the main square - Cave Dale to the left (east) and Peak Cavern to the right (west). Cave Dale is a collapsed cavern and the very bottom part was covered by a natural arch until 200 years ago. It is a spectacular walk up the dale, which is very deep and narrow, with mineral veins crossing it at intervals. As you climb up the Dale, directly above the subterranean chambers of Peak Cavern, you get a good view of Peveril Castle. Peak Cavern entrance Until very recently, Peak Cavern was the most impressive natural cavern in the Peak District. It is open as a showcave from April to October but is worth walking up to even if the cave attraction itself is shut. Take a narrow lane from the top corner of the village square (past the chip shop) to reach Peakshole Water, the stream which flows from the cavern. Take the path up the right hand bank of the stream into the deep chasm which is the entrance to the cavern. You'll notice on the other side a small stream flowing into Peakshole Water.

This is the water from Russett Well, water that has come underground from caverns on the west side of Winnats pass - tracing the source of the water took the local geologists a long time! Now approach the impressive entrance to the cavern, which was once used by a family of ropemakers who built their cottages actually within the cave entrance. The recently discovered Titan cavern under nearby Hurd Low dwarfs Peak Cavern and means that in the future Peak Cavern will have more competition for visitors but Titan remains inaccessible to the public for the foreseeable future. Around the village square there are some fine old houses and cottages, including a Youth Hostel and some pubs. On the main road there are several shops selling Blue John (a local variety of Fluorspar with a fine colouring), jewellery made from this or souvenirs. One shop here houses the Ollerenshaw Collection, which contains a range of fine specimens of Blue John jewellery and artefacts. Towards Mam Tor there is a public car park with public toilets and the Peak National Park Information Centre (telephone 01433 620679).

Castleton has a carnival at the end of May, the main event of which is called Garland Day on May 29th, when large garlands of flowers are made and the participants wear sprigs of oak. The Garland King and Queen are weighed down with immense garlands and a parade takes place through the village to the main square, when the King's garland is placed on top of the church tower. The ceremony is said to commemorate the Restoration of Charles II (hence the oak sprigs), but may well be a relic of some ancient fertility rite. Castleton Food and Drink - Places to eat and drink in Castleton Castleton Food and Drink - Places to eat and drink in Castleton More information on Castleton at Castleton in Derbyshire Bulls Head, Cross Street, Castleton Derbyshire S33 8WH Tel: 01433 620256 The Bull's Head is a family run inn offering excellent food and drink and comfortable Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Castleton, Derbyshire, in the heart of the Peak District National Park. We offer a warm welcome in comfortable surroundings. We have recently undergone a major refurbishment, but still retaining traditional features.

Relax on our leather settees, or dine in front of our open log fires during the winter months. We are located in the centre of the village of Castleton with fine views of Mam Tor and Peveril Castle. For more information see 1530 Cross Street, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WH, Tel 01433 621870 Tim and Alicia invite you to sample the menu ranging from the more traditional to modern Italian inspired Cuisine. We have a range of Pasta�s, Pizza�s, Steak�s & Seafood Dishes and the Al a Carte menu is also available at lunch times. For more information see The Three Roofs Cafe The Island , Hope Valley, Castleton, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WN, Tel 01433 620533 Welcome to the Three Roofs caf� in the glorious village of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District. We are a traditional caf� that provides good home cooked food in a relaxed setting that overlooks the beautiful views of the Derbyshire Dales.

Being in close proximity of Castleton, Buxton, Manchester, Sheffield and many other popular destinations, the three roofs caf� is a welcome break for motorists wishing to stretch their tired legs and breath in the fresh air. Its picturesque location makes it a popular stop-off for tourists, walking groups and local residents alike. The patio at the front of the caf� makes a beautiful setting for summer afternoon tea where you can relax with your children and family pets. For more information see Ye Olde Nags Head Cross Street, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WH Tel: 01433 620248 Ye Olde Nags Head, a timeless 17th Century Coaching Inn, situated in the beautiful village of Castleton in the Peak District, Derbyshire. Ye Olde Nags Head now enjoys a log-burning fireplace in all 3 reception rooms aimed at providing the very best in customer comfort. Guests can expect those small touches such as a complimentary wine in all rooms and our New Menu has been created using quality local and organic produce with delicious Specials served daily.

For more information see Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn How Lane, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WJ ,Tel 01433 620330 If you like the old, traditional pub atmosphere with a great selection of homemade meals and award winning, local cask ales whilst listening to the sounds of the 60�s then this family run freehouse is the place to stay for you. For more information see George Inn Castle Street, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WG, Tel 01433 620238 Situated in the heart of the villiage of Castleton The George is a beautiful country inn, situated in the heart of the popular Peak National Park. The inn offers a central position in the bustling village. The hillside overlooking the village, is the home of the Blue John. A semi-precious gemstone found only in Castleton. The inn is maintained to a high standard and is admirably complimented by fine ales, together with an excellent menu that reflects our commitment to local produce. Everyone is made most welcome, whether dining or enjoying a relaxing drink in the bar areas.

For more information see Buddy'sAmerican Diner Cross Street, Castleton, Derbyshire, Tel 01433 620720 Castle Hotel Castle Street, Castleton, Derbyshire, Tel 01433 620578 Cinnamon Bear Coffee Shop Buxton Road, Castleton, Derbyshire Tel: 01433 620343 The Food Angel Castle Street, Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WD, Tel 07930 205812 Penny Pot Cafe, Station Approach, Edale Derbyshire S33 7ZA Tel: 01433 670 293 Wanted Inn, Sparrowpit, Derbyshire SK17 8ET Tel: 01298 812862 The Cheshire Cheese Edale Road, Hope Valley S33 6ZF, England 01433 620 381 Situated in Hope, in the heart of the Peak District, the 16th Century Inn owes its name to being an overnight stopping point on the old salt carrying route from Cheshire across the Pennines

 to Yorkshire.

Payment for lodging at the Inn was actually made in Cheese � the original cheese hooks can still be seen in the lower room. Today it retains a relaxed unspoilt, old world atmosphere with open fires, traditionally brewed hand pulled beer and a reputation for good wholesome food. For more information see The Poachers Arms 95,Castleton Road, Hope Valley TEL: 01433 620 380 The Plough Hathersage , Leadmill, Hope Valley S32 1BA, Tel 01433 650319 We warmly invite you to drop in to enjoy local and seasonal dishes from the regularly changing menu or perhaps to extend your stay with a night or two in one of our characterful yet modern rooms. The 16th century inn is set in 9 acres of its own land set in idyllic surroundings on the banks of the River Derwent. The new terrace affords spectacular views across the valley; in the colder months, retreat indoors to the warmth of our cosy real log fires to savour cask ales, fine wines from our well stocked cellar, or something a little stronger!

For more information see Samuel Fox Country Inn Stretfield Road, Hope Valley S33 9JT, Tel 01433 621562 The Samuel Fox at Bradwell in the picturesque Hope Valley is a country inn serving traditional and contemporary cuisine, using local, fresh ingredients and home-made produce. For more information see The Travellers Rest Brough Lane Head,| Brough, Hope Valley S33 9HG, Tel 01433620363 Home Cooked Locally Sourced For more information see The Old Hall Hotel, Market Place, Hope Derbyshire S33 6RH Tel: 01433 620160 We offer all your favourite classic pub meals from our experienced chefs using fresh ingredients and also have a variety of specials with a twist. We also have a tea room where you can enjoy breakfasts, a quick bite for lunch or afternoon tea and coffee. You must try our famous Old Hall Hotel Derbyshire Breakfast! The tea room can be hired for a special occasion with a variety of options catering for your needs. For more information see Millstone Inn, Sheffield Road, Hathersage Hope Valley.

S32 1DA Tel: 01433 650276 Our bar has SIX hand-pulled real ales, and a great menu of bar meals is available every day. We are Cask Marque accredited for the quality of our real ale. For more information see Golden Dragon Chinese 93 Castleton Road, Hope, HOPE VALLEY, S33 6SB Tel 01433 623226 see also Peveril Castle | English Heritage English Heritage The imposing ruins of Peveril Castle stand high above the pretty village of Castleton in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. Mentioned in the Domesday survey, Peveril Castle is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. The keep was built by Henry II in 1176. A climb to the castle at the top of the hill to enjoy the breathtaking views over the Hope Valley is a highlight of a family day out in Castleton. Explore the remains of the keep including the garderobe (medieval lavatory)!

Displays in the visitor centre tell the story of Peveril as the administrative focus of the Royal Forest of the Peak, a royal hunting preserve since the 11th century. Read more about the life of children in medieval castles in this exclusive preview from our Members' magazine. Don't Miss Panoramic views of the beautiful Peak District A range of items in the shop Interesting displays in the Visitor Centre © Andrew Tryner About us English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and places - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 0744722, registered in England. How We Are Funded Our target is to become completely self-funding by 2023. Our confidence in achieving this is based on our track record. During the past 10 years, our commercial income has doubled and we have raised nearly £60m in donated income.

66% Self-generated income Castleton | Peak District Towns and Villages | Staffordshire | Derbyshire | England | UK Castleton | Peak District Towns and Villages | Staffordshire | Derbyshire | England | UK Peak District Towns and Villages: Castleton Local Attractions A view of a farm near Abney Abney is a tiny hamlet of a few farms lying in a remote valley high up above the Derwent to the south of Hope Valley. It is beautifully situated and the area around is excellent for walking, with Shatton Edge, Bretton Clough and Eyam Moor all nearby. The settlement was mentioned as 'Habenai' in the Domesday book, so it is very ancient and probably hasn't got much bigger since those times. On the road down to Hathersage lies Highlow Hall, an Elizabethan manor house and the seat of one of the branches of the Eyre family. A Robert Eyre of Highlow was High Sheriff of Derbyshire at one time. The building is quite distinctive and is reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in Derbyshire, with at least four ghosts.

To the west, on Hucklow Edge, there is the headquarters of the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club and at weekends gliders are often in the sky above. Abney Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Bretton Clough and Abney Low view 1 - Abney Grange - a typical hill farm 2 - Eyam Moor barrow and view to Hathersage Bamford Local Attractions Bamford is a former mill-village and occupies the hillside underneath Bamford Edge and above the River Derwent . There is a lot more to the village than can be seen when just passing through. It has some lovely quiet corners and the Derwent is especially pretty around the millpool just above the mill itself. The impressive wier can be admired from the footbridge below the mill that carries the Public Footpath across to the south bank. There is a well-dressing festival here in mid-July. The mill is the first of many on the course of the Derwent and was built around 1780, burnt down and rebuilt in 1791-2.

It was a cotton mill but closed for this purpose in 1965 and was used by an electric furnace manufacturer until the 1990s. It has now been converted into apartments. Ladybower The modern village is mainly strung out along the road which leads from the A625 up towards Ladybower Reservoir , about 3km away. At the bottom end there is the railway station, which very conveniently links Bamford with both Manchester and Sheffield. On the road just below the station the Peak Park have re-erected the Mytham Bridge toll gate which used to stand nearby. This was one of the toll gates on the first turnpike in the area - built in 1758 to link Sheffield to Sparrowpit. Higher up, at the centre of the village there are some shops and two pubs. Nearer to Ladybower there is the settlement of Yorkshire Bridge, with a pub of the same name. This settlement was built to rehouse some of the people who were displaced when Ladybower dam was constructed in the 1940s. Bamford Edge is a fine gritstone edge which overlooks the village and offers a fine view of Ladybower.

The edge is private land and was not readily accessible to walkers until the 'Right to Roam' legislation came into effect. This means it is considerably less well tramped or eroded than other edges. The view from the edge is very worthwhile. Below Bamford, across the Derwent lies the hamlet of Shatton. This straggles up a lane south of the River Noe leading up onto Shatton Edge. At the end of the lane lies Shatton Hall and Nether House, one of the houses Robert Eyre of Highlow built for his seven sons in Elizabethan times. Shatton Edge, high above the hamlet, offers fine views over the Hope Valley and good walking country. Bamford Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Ladybower - View to Crook Hill 1 - Ladybower from Win Hill 2 - Win Hill summit Local Attractions Bradwell (or Bradda as it is known locally) owns something of a distinction. A sprawling but interesting collection of old cottages, the village actually retains a significant amount of local industry and is not dependant on tourism.

Engineering, quarrying and ice cream-making are all important here but have surprisingly limited impact on the appeal of the settlement they serve. A view of Hope cement works Like many other villages of the area, Bradwell was once an important centre for lead-mining (the 'Bradda Beaver' hat was universally worn in the lead mines in the 19th century) and the moor above the village is scarred by the remains of many mines, some of which are now being worked for Fluorspar. The discreet charms of Bradwell are fairly well hidden from the average passer-by, for the main part of the village clings to a steep hillside above the main road and can hardly be seen. The centre of the village, which lies above the brook just south of the main road, is a rabbit-warren of tiny cottages and narrow lanes with picturesque names like Soft Water Lane, Hungry Lane and Hollowgate. From here the houses spread right up the hillside, from where there are fine views across the Hope Valley.

Bradwell Though most of the village dates from the lead-mining era, Bradwell has a long history - the narrow street called Smalldale follows the line of the Roman road between Brough and Buxton. A Saxon earthwork called the Grey Ditch runs from Bradwell Edge to Micklow Hill near the New Bath Hotel, where there is a thermal spring and the remains of a Roman Bath were found. On the road to Tideswell up Bradwell Dale lies Hazelbadge Hall, one of the oldest houses in the area, which was built in 1549 and still has the arms of the Vernon family on its wall. Bradwell is also noted as the home of Samuel Fox, the inventor of the modern umbrella mechanism. His house is marked with a plaque and lies just off the main street. Also of interest is the home of Bradwell's Home-made Dairy Ice Cream, in the centre of the village, and Bagshawe Cavern, (open to visitors & adventure caving groups) up the hill to the South.

Brough is a nearby small hamlet on the banks of the River Noe, important in Roman times as the site of the Anavio fort, an important factor in the Roman occupation of the Peak District. Here Batham Gate, the Roman road from Buxton, met the roads from Melandra (near Glossop) and that which came from Sheffield and Doncaster via Stanage edge. On the mound behind the modern hamlet the Romans built a wooden stockade about AD70 and this was replaced by a stone one around AD150. Altars and a commemorative stone from the fort are in the Buxton museum. After about AD200 the fort was only intermittently garrisoned but a settlement grew up around this important road junction. Bradwell Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Abney Grange - a typical hill farm 1 - Bradwell welldressing Local Attractions Edale is the name given both to the valley between Mam Tor, Lose Hill and Kinder Scout and to its main settlement. As well as the main village there are several small farming hamlets strung out along the valley - Barber Booth, Ollerbrook Booth and Nether Booth.

Old Nags Head, Edale There are three main reasons for the popularity of Edale as a centre for walkers and hikers. First, it lies in a beautiful setting below Kinder Scout . Second, it is the start of the Pennine Way , England's first and most famous long-distance footpath; and third, it is served by the railway - a factor which may be less important than it used to be but which played its part in making Edale accessible to the hard-working folk in Manchester and Sheffield. View of Edale Village The main village is pretty and lies on a side road off the main road along the valley. There is a large car-park at the road junction and the railway station is just nearby. Just above it is The Rambler, the first of two pubs. The road into the village proper continues past Fieldhead, the Peak National Park's information centre and camp site, past the church and on to end at a small square outside the school and a second pub the Old Nag's Head. This is usually accepted as the start of the Pennine Way. Just opposite lies the Post Office and general store and Cooper's Farm camp site - an alternative to the National Park site.

At the head of the valley, in Barber Booth, it is often possible to obtain teas at weekends and there are several campsites between here and Edale village. Further down the valley, horse rides are available at Lady Booth Farm in Nether Booth. There is a Youth Hostel high on the the side of Kinder at Rowland Cote, above Nether Booth. Edale Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Mine workings outside the Odin Mine Castleton 1 - Mam Tor Iron Age ramparts and the view across Edale 2 - Mam Tor summit with Kinder Scout behind 3 - Mam Tor summit looking down to Lose Hill 4 - Back Tor Local Attractions Great Hucklow was once a lead-mining village and one of the former mines beneath the village was afterwards mined for fluorspar. It is now a pretty little village nestling below Hucklow Edge and has become a popular place to live. It was a centre of Unitarianism from the late 17th century and now has a Unitarian Conference Centre. The village was once famous for its plays, which were written by a local resident, L.

du Garde Peach, who lived in what is now the conference centre, and performed in a converted lead-smelting mill. These plays were based on local Derbyshire 'types' and acted by local people - du Garde Peach effectively created his own genre. The theatre ran from 1927 to 1972 and when du Garde Peach died in 1976 the tradition unfortunately died with him. Above the village, on the plateau behind Hucklow Edge, there is the 'airfield' of the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club, and most weekends a number of gliders will be airborne overhead. Great Hucklow has a well-dressing in mid-August. Near to Great Hucklow are the small hamlets of Windmill, Grindlow and Little Hucklow. The walking around here is gentle and very pleasant with easily followed footpaths crossing old drystone wall field systems while above Great Hucklow there is access into the beautiful Bretton Clough.

Great Hucklow & Little Hucklow Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Bretton - the Barrel Inn 1 - Abney Grange - a typical hill farm Hope Local Attractions Hope is about the same size as nearby Castleton but of quite a different character, for though tourists do come to Hope, most of them pass through to other centres. The village is quite pretty, but dominated by the cement works which lies at the foot of Pindale. The village lies at the junction of the River Noe and Peakshole Water, where the Edale valley meets the Hope valley. It was the base of the Eyre family, whose various branches became major landowners in this area of the Peak and played a significant role in its history. The original Eyre was said to have come with William the Conqueror and lost a leg in the battle of Hastings - hence the family crest has an armoured leg above the shield. Hope Church The church is mainly 14th Century and has a spire, unlike most other local churches. In the churchyard there is the stump of a Saxon Cross, indicating that this is a very old settlement.

The South side of the church also has some fine gargoyles and there is a Norman font inside. Around the church there are several shops and two pubs - the Woodroffe Arms Hotel and the Old Hall Hotel - the latter was once the house of the Balguys, a family of local landowners. There is also a car park with public toilets. There are further pubs along the road towards Castleton and along the Edale road. On the north side of Hope valley, between the Noe and the Derwent, lie the two small secluded hamlets of Thornhill and Aston. Originally the Eyre family had their seat at Thornhill but there is nothing to see of this now. Hope has a railway station 1km east of the village, near to Aston. This is on the Sheffield to Manchester line and has fairly frequent trains to both cities. Hope has a well-dressing festival at the end of June.

The large car-park at the centre of the village means that it is a good base for those wishing to walk the Great Ridge, over Lose Hill to Mam Tor Hope Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Castleton - the entrance to Peak Cavern 1 - Castleton - Peak Cavern entrance with Peveril castle above 2 - Ladybower from Win Hill 3 - Cement Works, Hope Valley 4 - Castleton Garland Day Local Attractions Mam Tor The Hope Valley is a large, wide valley running East-West along the boundary between the gritstone moors and edges of the 'Dark Peak' and the limestone outcrops and deep cut dales of the 'White Peak'. Best known as wonderful walking country, it is also a haven for many others including bikers, pony trekkers, hang-gliders, rockclimbers and potholers as well as for the quieter activities of artists, anglers and birdwatchers. Winnats Pass Mam Tor, the 'Shivering Mountain' heads the valley. Now a launch pad for hang-gliders, it was once the home of Iron Age people whose fort can still be seen on top of the hill.

The spectacular Winnats Pass is the only road in from the west now that the road down the shivering face of Mam Tor has been swept away by repeated landslips. A classic collapsed gorge, Winnats Pass threads its way between steep limestone crags in an area honeycombed with potholes and old lead mines, source of the unique and attractive Blue John stone. Castleton is a centre for visiting many of these old workings, which can also be seen at Bagshawe Cavern near Bradwell and at Poole's Cavern in Buxton. Blue John is turned into jewellery in Castleton's craft shops and the village is famous too for its Christmas lights and the ancient Garland Ceremony held every May. Peveril castle Guarding the village is the prominent Norman keep of Peveril Castle, halfway up the cliff above it and built in 1088 by William I's illegitimate son William Peveril. A man despised by the locals at the time. To the north of the valley a walk from Mam Tor to Losehill along the ridge dividing the Hope and Edale valleys gives unrivalled views in both directions.

Climbers on Stanage From here the walker can descend into Hope - the central village of the valley, with its fine church and Saxon cross. Additional attractions here include tempting shops and the old established sheep and cattle market. The train from Manchester or Sheffield is a popular way to visit the valley. From the west, the line bursts out of the Cowburn Tunnel to stop at Edale - the next valley north of Hope Valley, a great centre for walkers, pony trekkers and campers and the start of the Pennine Way. The railway follows the Edale Valley to its junction with Hope Valley just east of Hope Village and continues eastwards with stations at Hope, Bamford and Hathersage. The three rivers which define the valley are; Peak Water, rising from Peak Cavern and flowing to Hope; the River Noe, rising on Kinder Scout near Edale and flowing down to join Peak Water near Hope; and the River Derwent, rising on Howden Moor before flowing through a series of massive reservoirs on its way to meet the Noe at Bamford. These reservoirs are another important recreational centre.

Bicycles can be hired to explore their pine clad slopes or perhaps you would rather sample the excellent fishing on the Ladybower Reservoir at the Eastern end of the A57, Snake Pass. Ladybower Reservoir After leaving Bamford, the Derwent meanders tranquilly to Hathersage, the largest village in the valley and another good shopping centre but which also has a swimming pool, a church which is famous for brass rubbings and the reputed site of Little John's grave. Above Hathersage the rocks of Stanage Edge and other gritstone edges loom on the horizon - these are a testing training ground for rock-climbers of all abilities. At Hathersage the Derwent makes a sharp right turn to flow southwards. This appears to make the Hope Valley appear apart from the rest of the Derwent Valley and from the surrounding uplands - hemmed in by the slopes of Mam Tor to the west and by the gritstone edges to the east.

Hope Valley Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show 0 - Castleton - the entrance to Peak Cavern 1 - Castleton - Peak Cavern entrance with Peveril castle above 2 - Ladybower from Win Hill 3 - Cement Works, Hope Valley 4 - Castleton Garland Day Local Attractions Peak Forest does not have many trees, for it is named after the Royal Forest of the Peak; a 'forest' being an area set aside for hunting rather than a wooded place. North-west of the village lies Chamber Knowl Farm, where the Swainmote (one of the courts of the Royal Forest) used to meet, but the present building dates from the eighteenth century, long after the forest was abolished. The Royal Forest originally covered most of the northern half of the Peak District when founded by William the Conquerer, but this area was gradually whittled away by encroachment until only a small area around Peak Forest remained by the 16th century, and the forest was finally abolished in 1674. The current church dates only from the late 19th century, but the church on this site has an interesting history.

It was founded in 1657 by the Countess of Devonshire (at a time when the Commonwealth had forbidden church-building), and is one of a very few in the country dedicated to Charles the King and Martyr - so it is clear where the Devonshires' sympathies lay! Until the late eighteenth century the vicar had the right to conduct marriages between 'any persons', 'from anywhere' and 'at any time'. The village hence became a sort of local Gretna Green. A less accessible feature of Peak Forest is Eldon Hole, one of the seven wonders of the Peak. It is the deepest local pothole; an alarming, evil-looking chasm in the side of Eldon Hill to the north of the village. Access from the village is via Eldon Lane, and is a half-hour walk. The hole is approximately 60 metres deep, but was probably once much deeper, having been part-filled by stones over the years. It was first descended in 1780 and is now quite regularly descended by potholers. Near to Edlon Hill is Starvehouse Moor, a very interesting area and one of the few Limestone Heaths that can be found in the Peak District.

Here you will find the curious phenomenon of heather growing on limestone. Made possible by the acid nature of the Loess soils in which it grows. The village has a shop and a pub, the Devonshire Arms. There is a well-dressing in mid-July. Peak Forest Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge 0 - Eldon Hole, Peak Forest

Question: Which castle overlooks the village of Castleton in Derbyshire?
Answer: PEVERIL CASTLE